Every week as SmallBizLady, I conduct interviews with experts on my Twitter talk show #SmallBizChat. The show takes place every Wed on Twitter from 8-9pm ET. This is excerpted from my recent interview with @TinaFortune. Tina is a super single mom extraordinaire who produces and edits teleseminars, podcasts, and video blog posts. She can perfect your show! For more information log onto http://www.alifemessage.com
Smallbizlady: In what ways can teleseminars be used to work for a small business?
@Tinafortune 1. Added Value Teleseminars can be used as a way to add value to their customers. Wouldn’t it be great to go to a website that has step by step instructions as an option instead of those hard to follow printed guides we get when we purchase items? I remember putting together my bookcase recently and just become so frustrated at all the different pieces. How much loyalty could companies save by making a teleseminar of their instructions available in lieu of paper documents?
2. Financial Savings Teleseminars can provide residual income for years to come.
3. Test Market Teleseminars give small business owners the opportunity to test their products/services and make the necessary changes BEFORE the product is launched.
4. Establish Credibility as an Expert Teleseminars build confidence. The more a host teaches about a topic, the more they solidify themselves as experts and their customers know it.
5. Convenience Teleseminars give your business the opportunity to provide expert service 24/7. No travel necessary. When edited and packaged correctly, Small businesses can really make teleseminars work for them.
Smallbizlady: How Can Teleseminars Grow a Small Business?
@TinaFortune Teleseminars are a great way to provide information, training, awareness, motivation and to sell or promote products to a specific group of people interested in a particular topic.
Smallbizlady: What are the 3 Essential Steps to do before Hosting a Teleseminar?
@TinaFortune 1. Identify niche market. and determine where they are online (Twitter, FB, LinkedIn, etc.)
2. Identify a Topic of Interest or Expertise. Teleseminar hosts should choose a topic of personal interest and do research As you’re learning about their topic, you will eventually become an expert. The best teleseminars start with the knowledge the host already has. Confidence comes from knowledge in the topic. Practice, practice, practice!
3. Research the Topic Problems and Solutions. Think about why your audience would want to attend your Teleseminar. How will your event provide solutions. For instance, I’ve recently gone to natural cleaning products. I saw a product online for a new laundry soap and it was $59! Now, the cost was for a twenty-pound plus bag and each load would require just 1 teaspoon. If they would have had a “How to Telesminar” about their product, the importance of going to natural laundry soap, etc. I would have understood more about their business. Unfortunately, they did not and I did not make the purchase.
Smallbizlady: What is the advantage to using Teleseminars?
@TinaFortune No writers block! Teleseminars give businesses the opportunity to match the perfect message with their target market and continuously develop content for their specific niche. Teleseminars can be transcribed and an e-book can be developed. Teleseminars are more intimate because of the inflection in voice.
Smallbizlady: Why are Teleseminars so important for a business?
@TinaFortune Teleseminars give hosts an opportunity to provide information to their clients 24/7, provide an “added value” incentive and to give clients an opportunity to download or have access to the recording when it is most convenient for them. No matter the industry, vocation, expertise, hobby, event, etc. there are people interested in your niche!
Smallbizlady: How can a small business make a profit from a Teleseminar?
@TinaFortune The goal of any teleseminar is to get the customers interested enough to purchase and tell their friends and family about how great your product/service is. You can charge for Teleseminars and the content can be repurposed to provide quick profits! They can be used to create CDs, How to Courses, e-books, podcasts, Online Courses, etc.
Smallbizlady: How much does it cost to host a Teleseminar?
@TinaFortune Nothing! There are FREE services available such as Whistletree, Free Conference Calls.com, Blog Talk Radio and of course there are others that are available for a nominal fee. Now if a host wants to use a service I suggest looking at http://www.instantteleseminar.com or
Smallbizlady: What type of equipment is necessary to host a Teleseminar?
@TinaFortune A landline telephone and a headset. Landline telephones truly allow the hosts and guest to achieve the highest quality of audio and reduces the possibility of dropped calls. I recommend a headset because many of talk with our hands and don’t realize it. Having a headset gives the host the opportunity to use expression which of course, is important in the Teleseminar.
Smallbizlady: Is it necessary to edit your audio from your Teleseminar?
@TinaFortune I say absolutely yes. If a host wants to be considered a leading expert in their field, they have to provide star quality audio. Audio Editing is what separates the ordinary from the extraordinary in the Teleseminar industry where some like Alex Mandossian have made are making millions! That means editing the audio, adding an Intro and an Outro and removing the annoying beeps, static and dead silence from the question “Does anyone have any questions?” There are simple tools available to edit audio. The idea is to make a quality product.
Smallbizlady: What are the easiest programs to edit audio from teleseminars?
@TinaFortune I also like Sony Sound Forge. I have used Wavepad, a free audio editing program, available at http://nch.com.au/wavepad. Audacity is another free program, but it may be too complex for the average user.
Smallbizlady: How long should a Teleseminar be?
@TinaFortune 90 minutes MAX. I suggest 45 minutes with 15 minutes available for a question and answer period.
Smallbizlady: How do successful Teleseminars work step-by-step?
@TinaFortune First the Host must define who their audience is, what solution they are providing, and why their clients would want it from them. What sets their business apart in the industry?
1. Research the topic and prepare the guest(s).
2. Have an outline and prepare questions in advance
3. Go to an area to host the call that is free from distractions
4. Never end a call without a Call to action (Make an offer about your services, product, blog, mailing list or next event, etc.)
5. Gather contact information from participants
If you found this interview helpful, join us on Wednesdays 8-9pm ET follow @SmallBizChat on Twitter.
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For more tips on starting or growing your small business subscribe to Melinda Emerson’s blog at www.succeedasyourownboss.com
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